Selective mixing device for fluid systems



y 1951 c. c. HANTHORN 2,551,738

SELECTIVE MIXING DEVICE FOR FLUID SYSTEMS Filed May 29, 1947 llln r J; I 4' 4 y @011 gay/2% 9 5 /7@m4h2w% Patented May 8, 1951 OFFICE SELECTIVE MIXING DEVICE FOR FLUID SYSTEMS Charles C. Hanthorn, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application May 29, 1947, Serial No. 751,324

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful devices for incorporating materials, such as soap or scented salts, into the water stream to be discharged from a shower bath spray or similar fixture, and more particularly relates to such devices which are selectively operable to incorporate the materials into the water or to provide a clear stream of water, as desired.

The use of scented salts and soaps in tub baths is quite common practice, particularly among women, and the lack of any practical means for incorporating such materials into the water discharged from shower sprays makes it necessary for those desiring scented baths to continue to take tub baths even though they may prefer a shower.

With the foregoing in mind, the principal object of the present invention is to provide novel means for incorporating materials such as, for example, scented salts and soaps, into the water discharged from a shower, spray or like fixture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character set forth which is selectively operable at the will of the user to change over from the material containing water to clear water, and vice versa, as desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel device as set forth which may be manufactured and sold as an attachment that can be readily and easily connected into a shower bath installation or any other spray device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel device as set forth which is of relatively simplified and inexpensive construction, and

which is highly efiective and efiicient in operaq tion and use.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features and details of the construction and operation thereof are hereinafter fully set forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view showing a typical shower bath spray incorporating a device made according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in section taken on line 22, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 33, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 i an enlarged sectional view taken on line li, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on line 55, Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a detached view in perspective of one of a pair of seals embodied in the device.

Referring now more particularly to the draw- 2 ing, the invention is illustrated in the form of an attachment for shower baths and is exemplified in a typical embodiment of device made according to the present invention. The particular device shown comprises a hollow shell or casing member I of generally rectangular shape open at the top and bottom and including relatively spaced parallel end walls 2 and side walls 3. The walls 2 are provided with aligned inlet and outlet ports 4 and 5, respectively, therethrough arranged at one side of the center line of the device, as shown in Fig. 2, and these ports are intern-ally threaded for connection into the piping of a shower or spray in the manner, for example, shown in Fig. l of the drawing.

The interior surface of the casing end walls 2 is angularly disposed over a substantial portion of the area thereof, as indicated at 6, for a purpose hereinafter set forth, and the bottom or lower edges of these angular end wall portions 6 slope inwardly from the opposite side walls 3, as indicated at I, terminating in centrally disposed journal portions 8 arranged in alignment with each other on the center line of the casing I.

These journal portions 8 are adapted to receive the trunnion portions 9 of a selector valve member l0 which i rotatably mounted in the casing l for movement through a limited arc between two limit positions determined by suitable stops II.

The selector valve member I 0 comprises a body portion [2 having the cross-sectional shape of a sector as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and includes depending arcuate guard portions l3 which, together with the body portion l2, give the selector valve member ID an over-all circular configuration as illustrated. These arcuate guard portions l3 are disposed in relatively spaced apart relation longitudinally of the selector valve member and depend a substantial distance below the lower edges of the casing structure I of the device as illustrated, being connected together by a strut l5 which serves as a handle for manually rotating the selector valve.

The selector valve II] is secured internally of the casing structure I by means of a cover member l6 which is secured in overlying relation upon the casing structure I by any suitable means such as, for example, screw element ll. Formed in the cover l6 adjacent one side thereof is an opening I8 and the remainder of the cover is provided with a cross-sectional shape or configuration having a curved inner surface which is disposed adjacent and conforms to the curvature of the valve body portion [2.

To render the device substantially liquid-tight against leakage outwardly between the several parts thereof, a gasket or seal 19 of suitable resilient waterproof material is interposed between the adjacent curved surfaces of the valve body portion l2 and the cover member I6, and gaskets 20 are also provided between the adjacent opposite end walls of the valve member IE] and casing l. The gasket or seal 19 is of uniform thickness throughout and may be recessed into the cover inner surface as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing.

On the other hand, the gaskets 2U interposed between the confronting faces of the valve member l and the end walls 2 of the casing structure are of generally wedge shape in cross-section in that they have their outer faces angularly disposed to corrqspond to the angular disposition of the inner surface portions 5 of the casing end walls 2. These gaskets are urged continuously in a wedging action between the ends of the valve member Ii] and casing end walls 2 by means of leaf springs 2| which are interposed between the underside of the cover [6 and the top surface of the gasket members 26, the construction and arrangement being such that the gaskets i9 and 20 may be urged into greater or less sealing engagement to provide the desired fluid tightness merely by adjusting the screws I! that secure the cover upon the casing structure I.

As shown in Fig. 6, each of the gaskets 20' are provided centrally of their lower edge with an arcuate cut-out 22 to provide clearance for the trunnions 9 of the selector valve member I8 and,

in addition, these gaskets 20 are each provided with an opening or port 23 therein which is positioned to register with the inlet and outlet ports 4 and 5 of the casing.

Formed longitudinally on the body portion l2 of the selector valve 16 is a closed bore or passage 24 and a relatively larger recess 25 which opens outwardly through the peripheral surface of said valve body portion I2, The passage 24 and recess 25 are arranged in the selector body portion I2 so that, in one limit position of the valve member ID, the passage 24 is in register with the ports 4, 5 and 23 provided, respectively, in the casing end walls 2 and gaskets 20 and the recess 25 is disposed beneath the opening H3 in the cover member l6 and, in the other limit position of said valve [0, the recess 25 is disposed in register with the said ports 3, 5 and 23 in the casing end walls and gaskets 20, respectively.

The recess 25 is adapted to contain an elon- I;

gated generally cylindrical preformed element 26 comprising, for example, a water soluble material such as scented bath salts, soap or the like, and preferably the elements 26 are of tubular construction having a bore or passage 21 therethrough of a diameter substantially the same as that of the previously mentioned ports 4, 5 and 23. The elements 26 are supplied or fed to the recess 25 as needed through the aforesaid opening iii in the cover member it from a container 28 which functions as a hopper and is detachably secured in upside-down relationship upon the cover [6, for example, by means of spring clips or the like 29. In the position of the selector valve member ID in which the recess 25 and its element 26 are aligned with the ports in the gaskets 20 and easing end walls 2, the arcuate guard portions l3 of the valve member 2 underlie the opening IS in the cover l6 and function to 4 retain the reserve elements 26 against accidental discharge from the device.

In use, the device of the present invention is connected in the usual shower or other spray, for example, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and with the container 28 with im supply of elements 26 properly secured in place upon the cover 16, the selector valve member In may be rotated into the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing to deposit one of the elements 26 in the valve body recess 25. In this position of the valve member Iii the bore or passage 24 in the body [2 thereof is disposed in register with the ports 4, 5 and 23 provided in the casing l and gaskets 20 with the result that when the usual shower or spray controls are operated to cause the flow of liquid, a clear stream of water will flow through passage 24 and be discharged from the device through the spray. On the other hand, when it is desired to incorporate into the liquid stream materials of which the elements 26 are composed, it is only necessary to rotate selector valve l0 through an arc of about to position the recess 25 and element 26 therein in alignment with the ports 4, 5 and 23 provided in the casing end walls 2 and gaskets 2B". When one element 25 has been completely used another element may be supplied to the recess 25 merely by rotating the valve H] to position the recess 25 as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing.

It will be obvious, of course, that the device of the present invention has other uses than in connection with shower sprays and may be employed generally in all instances where it is desirable to incorporate materials into a liquid line with provision for readily changing over to a clear stream of liquid as required. Thus, for example, a device made according to the present invention can be used effectively in conjunction with garden hose and like devices for incorporating insecticides, weed killers or fertilizing materials into a stream of water.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel device for incorporating materials into liquids which is selectively operable at the will of the user to incorporate such materials, or not, as desired. The invention also provides a novel device as set forth which may be manufactured and sold as an attachment that can be readily and easily connected into existing liquid systems, which is of relatively simplified and inexpensive construction and which is highly efficient in operation and use.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention to such disclosure and changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the type described comprising a casing structure having inlet and outlet ports, selector means rotatably mounted in said casing for movement between two limit positions and including a body portion having a passage therethrough and an outwardly opening recess therein, said passage and recess being arranged in the selector body so that in one limit position thereof the passage is in register with said inlet and outlet ports to effect liquid flow through said passage and in the other limit position thereof said recess is disposed in register with said inlet and outlet for liquid flow through said recess, and means to deposit in said recess when said selector means is in said one limit position a water soluble element of tubular construction to efiect liquid flow through the recess in contact with said element.

2. In a device of the type described comprising a casing structure having liquid inlet and outlet ports and a feed opening therein, selector means rotatably mounted in said casing for movement between two limit positions and including a body portion having a passage therethrough and an outwardly opening recess therein, said passage and recess being arranged in the selector body so that in one limit position thereof the passage is in register with said inlet and outlet ports to effect liquid flow through said passage with said recess disposed beneath said feed opening and in the other limit position thereof said recess is disposed in register with said inlet and outlet ports for liquid flow through the recess, and means to feed a water soluble element through the feed opening to said recess when said selector means is in said one limit position, said element having a shape conforming to said recess and constructed to effect liquid flow through the recess in contact with said element.

3. In a device of the type described comprisin a casing structure having inlet and outlet ports and a feed opening therein, selector means rotatably mounted in said casing for movement between two limit positions and including a body portion having a passage therethrough and an outwardly opening recess therein, said passage and recess being arranged in the selector body so that in one limit position thereof the passage is in register with said inlet and outlet ports to effect liquid flow through said passage with said recess disposed beneath said feed opening in said casing and in the other limit position thereof said recess is disposed in register with said inlet and outlet ports to effect liquid fiow through the recess, a container secured upon said casing and having an opening therein in register with said feed opening, and a plurality of water soluble cylindrical elements in said container arranged to feed individually by gravity through said feed opening to said recess when said selector means is in said one limit position, said elements each having a shape conforming to the recess to effect liquid flow therethrough in contact with an element.

4. In a device of the type described comprising a casing structure having inlet and outlet ports and a feed opening therein, selector means rotatably mounted in said casing for movement between two limit positions and including a body portion having a passage therethrough and an outwardly opening recess therein, said passage and recess being arranged in the selector body so that in one limit position thereof the passage is in register with said inlet and outlet ports to effect liquid flow through said passage with said recess disposed beneath said feed opening in said casing and in the other limit position thereof said recess is disposed in register with said inlet and outlet ports for liquid flow through the recess, a container secured upon said casing and having an opening therein in register with said feed opening, and a plurality of water soluble elements in said container arranged to feed individually by gravity through said feed opening to said recess when said selector means is in said one limit position, said selector including guard means operable in said other limit position to underlie the feed opening and prevent discharge of the reserve elements in the container, and said elements each having a shape conforming to said recess and constructed to eifect liquid flow therethrough in contact with an element.

5. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein gaskets of wedge shape in cross-section are interposed between the end walls of the selector and casing structure to provide fluid-tight joints thercbetween, and springs are provided acting on said gaskets normally to urge the same between said selector and easing structure.

' CHARLES C. HANTHORN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,904,428 Enemark Apr. 18, 1933 1,999,430 Townsend Apr. 30, 1935 

